How to feed fish while on vacation: Fish food for thought

Don’t flounder when thinking of how to feed fish while on vacation, there are plenty of potential pro-pet options available. Fish are amazing animals who can enjoy their own fish vacation with some simple scale-friendly feeding solutions.

Of course, any pet parent concerns should always be discussed with your vet first, particularly if your fish requires some additional attention and care. Never presume you can leave your fish without food, even if you’re only away for a day. Some internet sources claim they can happily live without food for a few days, but you must never try this without consulting your vet first.

Now, let’s make a splash about vacation fish feeding and learn more about fish feeding while you’re away…

What are the options for feeding fish while on vacation?

Surprisingly, there are five different options for your pet parents when deciding how to feed fish when out of town. Every fish family and pet parent is different, with their own unique situation, meaning what works for one aquarium might not be right for another. And that’s okay, fish friends!

Let’s take a look at these fin favorite options for feeding fish while on vacation…

Find a fish or pet sitter

Ever heard of TrustedHousesitters? They’re pretty cool and also the best travel solution for pet families and their human parents. All of our Pet Parent members have unlimited access to our trusted, verified Sitters situated all over the world. Each Sitter will have a detailed profile documenting their experience as a pet sitter and specific animal care.

Yep, that’s right pet people, there are pet sitters out there who specialize in fish care. Fish sitters are a thing and they love all things fish-related! Find an in-home sitter who'll be there to watch and care for your fish around the clock while you travel with peace of mind.

Hire a fish sitter

Alternatively, you can use a specialized pet sitting service to feed your fish. Often hired on an hourly basis, a professional fish sitter (yes, this is a real thing) can turn up each day to check up on your fin family, make sure they’re fed, and tidy up the tank if needed.

Some rates can be anything from $10 (£10) an hour, with additional costs thrown in if you request a tank clean, water check, or filter change.

Ask a neighbor or friend to feed them

If you’d prefer a familiar face to feed your fish, why not ask nearby friends, family, or a neighbor to pop in once a day to sprinkle in some food and make sure everything is going swimmingly? Generally, this shouldn’t cost you anything (but no judgment if it does) and it can be reassuring knowing someone you’re friendly with being in your house.

Automatic fish feeders

Just like with cat and dog feeders, automatic fish feeders can be set up just above the tank to sprinkle food in at different times of the day. These can be as cheap as $2 (£1.50) and are easy to set up and use.

But, and this is a big but. They’re not reliable. Even plug-in automatic fish feeders can suddenly stop working for no apparent reason. Other issues can be caused by fish food clogging up the feeder and preventing food from falling into the tank. It just means there’s an additional risk when using one of these gill gadgets.

Fish feeder blocks

These nifty blocks of slowly dissolving food and minerals can last for up to two weeks in an aquarium. Purchased from most pet stores or vet practices, you simply pop them into the tank just before you go and gently fizzle food into the water. The type of fish feeder block will depend on whether you have freshwater fish or salty fish friends - different types of fish have specific dietary requirements, so always chat with your vet first.

The downside? Well, they’re not as nutritious (or tasty) as fish flakes, pellets, or larger pieces of food. They’re a great temporary solution, and they’re relatively reliable, but they’re never a great alternative for fish food. 

Make sure their tank is in tip-top condition

Of course, regardless of how you choose to feed fish while on vacation, make sure their aquarium is as optimized as possible! Not only is this lovely for your fin family, but it’ll help keep them healthy while you’re out and about. Tips include:

• Be sure the filtration system is working and there are no blockages
• Check the aquarium lights to make sure they keep to their night cycle
• Make sure your fish are healthy before you leave and let your sitter know if they need extra care
• Check the water quality of the aquarium - optimal chemical levels will keep your fish happy, healthy, and eating

If you’re looking for someone who knows all about feeding fish on vacation, browse through all the fish sitters near you to see who could provide pet sitting care and feeding while you’re away. For those unsure what the best option could be for their fish family, head to our Community Forum to ask other pet parents what they prefer to do and other tips on how to feed a fish while on vacation.